That was dumb. You don’t let an object worth hundreds of dollars out of your sight with people you do not know. The “surprise” factor was definitely not worth the risk as you now know. But don’t let the waitress get away with theft! Press charges.

Call the police, press charges, check camera footage. That’s fucked up. Also put her on blast on social media to get the restaurant to take action. There’s nothing they hate more than bad press and they’ll do whatever they can to avoid it. Good luck.

Did you already have find my on the phone? Or call your carrier? I would have called the police.

gee, "son, close your eyes", slide the phone across the table. NOT "let's give a $1000 phone to someone I don't know

Call the police. You can prove it's your phone with the receipt. If they find a new phone on her and she can't show a receipt or tell where she bought, they are likely to believe you.

If you didn't immediately go to their manager and get this shit handled you 100% deserve it.

This is ridiculous. Did you just let her get away with that? And why would you give it to someone you don't know???